THE WINGATUI TRAGEDY.
A JOCKEY’S DEATH.
ACCIDENTALLY KILLED.
An inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death of Thomas William O’Connell, who fell from his horse during the Wingatu steeplechase on Thursday afternoon and was killed, was held in the Law Courts building at noon yesterday, Mr H. W. Bundle. S.M., sitting as Coroner. Sergeant Boulton represented the police.
Dr Fergus gave evidence as to the extent of O'Connell's injuries, which consisted of a fracture of the skull and the base of the skull which could have been caused by a fall from a horse. Death was probably instantaneous.
Thomas William O’Connell said that he identified the body as that of his son, Thomas William O'Connell. He was a jockey and resided at Winton. The deceased was 25 years of age, and was a married man with four children. Witness did not see the accident occur.
Alex. Ettelston McMullan, jockey, said that he was riding the horse Aurore and the deceased was riding Isla Bank. Witness was about five lengths behind him when entering the straight. When Isla Bank reached the brush hurdle she did not rise but crashed straight into the fence and turned a complete somersault, falling on top of the deceased. The mare had a clear run to the hurdle and was by herself, being about three lengths away from any other horse. The jockey’s body was lying across the course and the horse was lying on top of him, parallel with the course. Witness thought the rider had been killed immediately. Isla Bank was a noted jumper and had been jumping well up to the time of the accident. He had no idea what made the horse rush the fence for it was going easily at the time. Strictly speaking it did not rush the fence. It just “went info" it, and failed to rise, as though it had slipped.
Albert James Dear, jockey, said that he was riding Robora at the Wingatui Steeplechase on Thursday. He corroborated the previous witness's evidence and said that the deceased was a steady, reliable jockey.
The Coroner said that the evidence was perfectly clear. The horse was ridden by an experienced jockey and was apparently a good jumper, but on this occasion did not take the hurdle. Unfortunately the rider was not thrown clear and the horse fell on top of him. There was no suggestion of bumping or interference of any kind as the horse had a clear run to the jump, and there seemed to be no defects in the ground. It was just one of those unaccountable accidents which sometimes occurred, and the deceased was unfortunately following an occupation that had an element of danger in it. The verdict would be that the deceased was killed while riding a horse called Isla Bank in the Wingatui Steeplechase on Thursday, the cause of death being a severe fracture at the base of the skull. He was a married man and every sympathy was due to his family.
The Coroner recalled one of the witnesses who said in answer to his question that all the jockeys were wearing skull caps; it was the duty of the stewards to see that they did.
The Coroner remarked that unfortunately even the use of the skull cap did not save the deceased's life. His people could only be thankful that he was not maimed for life instead, and that death was sudden. -Otago Daily Times, 7/6/1924.
THE TURF
DUNEDIN MEETING
CONCLUDING DAY
NOTES ON THE RACING. (excerpt)
(BY TELEGRAPH. — SPECIAL TO THE POST ) DUNEDIN; 7th June.
During the day the club invited contributions towards a fund for the widow and children of T. W. O'Connell, who met with a fatal accident on the second day of the meeting, and something about £500 was collected during the afternoon by those who voluntarily set out to do the best they could in the matter. It is indeed a very pleasing fact to record that sportsmen never fail to make a generous response when they are invited to assist in such a case. -Evening Post, 9/6/1924.
MRS T. W. O’CONNELL and Family wish to Thank the Dunedin Jockey Club and surrounding friends for their kindness towards them in the recent sad loss of their loved one. -Otago Daily Times, 11/6/1924.
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